12 minute read
The Path To Collaboration, Communication And Transparency
Pieter Neethling, Seequent,
New Zealand, examines how digital tools can be used to help drive collaboration, communication, and transparency.
In industrial minerals mining, one of the greatest hurdles to successful operations is uncertainty – uncertainty around the geology, around where the highest quality ore sits, and where the worst impurities reside. Uncertainty in operations can lead to not only cost and resource challenges, but can also be the difference between a sustainable operation and one that is unable to meet customer needs.
The goal of sustainable mining is to mine the ore body in the most effective and efficient way. However, in order to do this, mining companies need to overcome a number of significant challenges, including: increasingly stringent environment, sustainability, and governance (ESG) regulations; ever evolving customer requirements; and operational challenges around adopting new technologies and ways of working.
One of the biggest blockers to efficient mining operations lies in the way mining companies use and share information and resources. The path to improved resource and knowledge sharing is often obscured by communication silos, multiple data sources, and differing interpretations of geological information. It is within these areas that mining companies can identify challenges and turn them into opportunities to realise efficiencies that will not only streamline and improve operations, but that will also protect the future of the business.
Communication barriers
Whilst mining companies want to drive collaboration across departments in helping to ensure a sustainable business, the challenge lies in the use of outdated and inefficient communication channels. In most organisations, data inevitably sits within different architectures and platforms (often legacy systems). Unlocking those silos and bringing down those barriers to collaboration can be exceptionally challenging – often requiring a significant investment of time, money, and resources.
One example of the impact these silos have on mining operations is when companies communicate changes to the geological and resource model. Currently, this information is often shared via PDFs, PowerPoints or hard copies, but this creates challenges: as the information is not ‘live’, it may not take into account all areas of the operation, and it may not be accessible to those who need it, when they need it. This creates the risk of disconnects within operations where the left hand does not know what the right hand is up to, and the consequences of this can be disastrous for mining operations, resulting in costly delays and inefficiencies.
When updating geological and resource models, mining companies need to be able to understand and communicate any impacts to production and product quality. Currently, this is a laborious effort that not only involves sourcing information from multiple sources and systems, but also trusting that it is up to date. This also then hinders a site’s ability to react to operational demands and changes in real time, and could lead to decisions being made based on inaccurate data. It also makes it almost impossible to review past decisions and to apply key learnings to future operations, particularly if the data is poorly archived.
Common pitfalls
As a result of these challenges, mining companies will often look to adopt digital solutions to help improve the flow of information across their business. However, when looking to transform operations by applying new digital tools and solutions that improve communications and the ability to harness and apply information, all too often the foundations of good data management have been overlooked as a result of the urgency to get to the ‘next big solution’.
When data is well structured and easily accessible, it can bring together teams, resources and insights from across a company’s operations, creating the opportunity to collaborate and drive real improvements in operational output. When it is not, it becomes even more of a hinderance than siloed data, as companies become overwhelmed with information that has taken significant investment to obtain, but which is of little use to operators.
Conversely, digital technologies based on open systems, such as Seequent’s Leapfrog Geo, make it significantly easier for everyone to get access to the exact information they need, when they need it, and being able to trust that it is accurate and up to date. This then allows for operators to get a far better insight when considering critical operational decisions that will impact performance. Essentially, if the metrics set at the outset of any operation are wrong, then the end result is not going to achieve the desired effect, in fact it could even have the opposite outcome. Here is where new, innovative technologies really come into their own in helping to drive better operational performance.
Data: transparency in communications
It is not just internal pressures driving the adoption of digital tools for managing and harnessing data. As one of the key drivers in mining today, ESG initiatives have been gathering speed over time. However, it is in recent years where ESG has really become a key priority for mining companies, the result of a greatly increased acceleration towards new environmental and sustainability performance targets and far more stringent regulations. Previously, drivers behind ESG initiatives largely centred around financial and corporate institutional concerns or opportunities in response to sustainable development goals and regulations. Today, the focus is much more around measuring ESG performance against a set of goals that satisfies the needs of all stakeholders to ensure sustainable energy outcomes are positive. This is where the ability to communicate transparently with clear, robust data, and information is supporting companies in engaging their stakeholders on ESG performance, a key driver in protecting the future of their business. In breaking down these barriers to communication and in engaging with communities, investors, customers and regulators (particularly on important initiatives around ESG), mining companies often need to adopt a culture change, one that shifts the focus far more towards transparency. Companies have to be upfront about how they are addressing ESG issues, and particularly whether or not they are meeting the required standards. To do this, they need to be credible, and to be credible they need to be able to back up what they are saying with data.
The digital revolution
So how do companies move towards a more cohesive approach to digitalised operations and drive transparency and clarity in communications without falling foul of the common pitfalls? Whilst it is known that data is an asset for any company DRIVING for driving fast, dynamic decision making, it has to be managed in the right way. Having a multidisciplinary team OPTIMIZATION, potentially scattered across geographies can make this complicated. But when data is well organised and easily EFFICIENCY, AND DRIVING accessible, the different teams, sources, and information can be brought together to work as one – making rapid yet accurate decisions, whilst saving time and money. SUSTAINABILITYOPTIMIZATION, This is where forward-thinking companies can look to innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to get the most out of their investments in digital technologies. AI can not only deliver information, it can deliver insights into what that data is actually telling Helping to Maximize the Productivity and Profitability EFFICIENCY, AND SUSTAINABILITY companies, and help them to understand what value can be derived from it. For example, mining companies can employ technologies of Mining and Mineral ProcessingHelping to Maximize the that analyse ground movement in near real time, so they can assess if there has been any movement on a daily basis. Productivity and Profitability of They can obtain a heatmap of where any movement has taken place, which is essential in the early warning of When you partner with Nalco Water, you can expect toMining and Mineral Processing receive potential issues, and can then take preventative or an innovative solution that aims to deliver increased recovery, mitigating action to limit the potential impact of this maximized yield and grade, optimized water use, and improved operational efficiency. With over 50 years of experience and a global network of industry experts, Nalco Water can tailor a program thatWhen you partner with Nalco Water, you can expect to receive an innovative so ts the complex needs of your mining operation.lution that aims to deliver increased recovery, maximized yield and grade, optimized water use, and improved Total Water Management
Helping to Maximize the Productivity and Profitability of Mining and Mineral Processing When you partner with Nalco Water, you can expect to receive an innovative solution that aims to deliver increased recovery, Flotation and maximized yield and grade, optimized water use, and improved Processing Aids operational efficiency. With over 50 years of experience and a global network of industry experts, Nalco Water can tailor a program that fi ts the complex needs of your mining operation.
Helping to Maximize the Productivity and Profitability of Mining and Mineral Processing When you partner with Nalco Water, you can expect to receive an innovative solution that aims to deliver increased recovery, maximized yield and grade, optimized water use, and improved operational efficiency. With over 50 years of experience and a global network of industry experts, Nalco Water can tailor a program that ts the complex needs of your mining operation. Figure 1. Seequent Central, a cloud-based solution for collaborative modelling and visualisation of geoscience data.
To learn more about how Nalco Water takes on the toughest mining challenges, visit ecolab.com/nalco-water Copyright ©2020 Ecolab USA Inc. All Rights Reserved AD_global_mining_review.indd 1 Total Water
Figure 2. Opencast mine site. Management 60 January/February 2022 // global mining review
movement on operations. Now, through applying AI to this capability, the trends in this modelling data can be analysed and understood, which in turn can then be applied to future operations. By having access to this information, mining companies will have the capability to predict, map, and plan for expected risks and challenges.
Case study: New Zealand
One example of where mining companies are addressing the transition to digital is digital twins. Digital twins help operators understand the natural variability of the operational environment. Sophisticated geological modelling can deliver critical insights, including changes in grade, volume, and the location of mineral concentrations and waste. They help teams to understand, communicate and plan for future endeavours, in addition to improving the value of what companies can obtain from the ground.
Mining geologists at OceanaGold’s Waihi project have developed their own optimised way of working using Leapfrog Edge and Leapfrog Geo from Seequent, integrating 3D photogrammetric imagery data with implicit modelling techniques.
The mine geos are down the hole collecting ore control data in the form of a face channel sample. They also take a 3D point scan of that face. Each channel is then registered on the scan in the form of a drill hole in the face (photogrammetry data). When incorporating this data into the model, interval selection is used to pick up the boundary of the vein from the channel and interpret hanging wall and footwall contacts from the photogrammetry using lines.
With daily updates to the ore control data and the ability to rapidly reconcile new photogrammetry information with the 3D model, the OceanaGold team has a virtual continuous view of the site. This enables them to monitor daily production performance; communicate with the miners, engineers, and geologists involved in operational planning; and report back to the business. They can confidently generate interim models that allow adjacent teams to run scenarios even before a current drive is completed.
Conclusion
When looking at mining operations today and in the future, the key to success is certainty, and this comes through effective communication, open collaboration, and transparency. This can only be delivered through the ability to gather and harness accurate, reliable, and robust data.
The more collaboration between geologists, mining engineers and planners can be improved, the better the chances of driving efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. This way, all parties can engage in informed discussions on what has changed, why, what the ramifications are, and the best practice processes that will profit the most from the data.
By improving short-term planning, companies can pave the way for being able to maximise ore extraction over the life of the mine and, ultimately, improve sustainability.
Total Water Management
Flotation and Processing Aids
Tailings Management Materials Handling
Flotation and Processing Aids
Tailings Management
When you partner with Nalco Water, you can expect to receive an innovative solution that aims to deliver increased recovery, maximized yield and grade, optimized water use, and improved operational effi ciency. With over 50 years of experience and a global network of industry experts, Materials Nalco Water can tailor a Handling DRIVING program that fits the complex needs of your mining operation. OPTIMIZATION, To learn more about how Nalco Water takes on the EFFICIENCY, AND toughest mining challenges, visit ecolab.com/nalco-water SUSTAINABILITY Copyright ©2020 Ecolab USA Inc. All Rights Reserved TOGETHER, WE ARE LEADING MINING FORWARD
TOGETHER, WE ARE Helping to Maximize theAD_global_mining_review.indd 1
10/13/2020 12:02:12 PM
DRIVING
SUSTAINABILITY
Flotation and Processing Aids
Tailings Management Materials Handling
Tailings Management
Flotation and Processing Aids Materials Handling
Tailings Management Materials Handling
Flotation and Processing Aids
Tailings Management
DRIVING 10/13/2020 12:02:12 PM
OPTIMIZATION, EFFICIENCY, AND SUSTAINABILITY
Helping to Maximize the Materials Handling Productivity and Profitability of Mining and Mineral Processing Total Water Management Total Water Management
When you partner with Nalco Water, you can expect to receive an innovative solution that aims to deliver increased recovery, maximized yield and grade, optimized water use, and improved operational efficiency. With over 50 years of experience and a global network of industry experts, Nalco Water can tailor a program that fi ts the complex needs of your mining operation. To learn more about how Nalco Water takes on the Materials TOGETHER, WE ARE toughest mining challenges, visit ecolab.com/nalco-water Handling LEADING MINING FORWARD
Flotation and Processing Aids
Tailings Management Materials Handling
Helping to Maximize the Productivity and Profitability of Mining and Mineral Processing
When you partner with Nalco Water, you can expect to receive an innovative solution that aims to deliver increased recovery, maximized yield and grade, optimized water use, and improved operational efficiency. With over 50 years of experience and a network of industry experts, Nalco Water can tailor a progra ts the complex needs of your mining operation.
